Taylor Schilling’s interviews for ‘Mercy’

Her will; I think she’s a lot fiercer than I am, but that’s certainly a fun part of myself to explore.

What do you think sets Mercy apart from other medical dramas?

It’s relatable. These characters aren’t glossy. It doesn’t strike me as soap opera–y. Everything is grounded, and it’s really working-class culture. I see people I know in all these characters. It doesn’t feel like ¬TV Land. It’s human, it’s messy.

She’s married to her high school sweetheart, but when she comes back from Iraq, things aren’t quiet the same. This relationship that Veronica has with Dr. Sands comes from this place of desperate human need after being in a war zone and finding a connection. It’s not a nurse and doctor getting it on in the closet; it goes a little deeper than that.

What was your biggest challenge with the role?

I want to be respectful toward the women I’m representing.

How did you prepare for it?

I was able to hang out in a hospital in New York for a while and put on scrubs and stand in the back of the ER and watch the nurses do their thing, which was incredibly informative. Also, I’ve been corresponding with a few women who are actively deployed in Iraq, and that’s been incredibly eye-opening. It’s such a different perspective on our country, to be around people who risk their lives for us literally every day.

MW: What attracted you to Veronica’s character on the new NBC show “Mercy”?

TS: I suspect on some level, everyone has experienced a life changing event that has left them feeling like a fish out of water back home. Veronica is trying to navigate through that feeling in her relationships, at work, with her family and friends…everywhere. She makes mistakes. She’s flawed and she’s raw. I appreciate her vulnerability and ferocity, her compassion and desire to do the right thing.

MW: How was it working on “Mercy” set with your director and your co-stars?

What character on the show would you like each of yours to interact with more?

Taylor Schilling: Oh, that’s a great question.

Michelle Trachtenberg: You know, for me, I love the three women together. I think that’s really, really great and it’s the core of the show. It’s fun to have our doctors come in, and I absolutely adore working with James Tupper and James LeGros.

But at the core of the show it’s really the three women and I think we’ve been doing that well. And there’s definitely going to be more of that.

Taylor Schilling: I’d actually have to agree with Michelle. I think that that dynamic between the three of us is really kind of the heart of the show. And I think it’s great that we can go off and have our sort of adventures and live our lives outside.

But it’s so important to stay grounded in the relationship; the relationship that these three women have and how they believe in each other and sort of process their lives together. I love that. I think we have a fantastic cast. Margo Martindale is remarkable and James LeGros and James Tupper and Diego Klattenhoff – it’s a great group of people.

Well, we love the dynamics we see on screen. Taylor, I know this is your first leading role on a TV show; are you comfortable watching yourself on screen with other people?

Taylor Schilling: Like do I like to watch it in a group of people?

Yes, does it make you uncomfortable?

Taylor Schilling: That’s a good question, that’s something I’m still trying to figure out. I don’t know. I can kind of watch it in bits and pieces. Michelle and I watched an episode like they showed it at lunch one day at work and…

Michelle Trachtenberg: Yes.

Taylor Schilling: …it was easier to watch it with her there.

Michelle Trachtenberg: It’s the only episode I’ve seen actually. I don’t like to watch myself.